A business trip to Tallinn made me dive into Tallinn a bit deeper and Estonia altogether. Tallin’s historical city center is world- famous, but Estonia, especially Tallinn strives to become a hub of innovation in technology. The place to witness this is Ülemiste City. Being there at a time when the sun hardly goes down added to the attraction.
In Estonia the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is omnipresent, Ukrainian flags everywhere, the Embassy of Russia is closed, a Wall of Shame right in front reminds of the Russian attack on its neighbor. Estonia itself has a long border with Russia and still remembers what it was like to live under Soviet rules.
Tallinn was also the starting point of a 13 days train journey back home to Vienna. I stopped at 14 places, covered 2119km for the price of €265. This is the amount I spent on ALL the train tickets.
Tallinn – view from upper town
Tallinn – the gem of the Baltic
Prior to this trip I only had heard about Tallinn, but a bit of research while there and I knew Russian-speaking Narva was the town not to be missed. Well going south I had to go through Tartu, which happened to be European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024. Last but not least, a 7 hour train layover introduced me to tiny Valga on the border to Latvia.
Ancient city gates
I arrived in Tallinn late in the evening and went up to the roof top bar of the hotel, to be overwhelmed by the view. Below lay the old city, the harbour (where I had arrived by ferry) but the most exciting part – it was not dark yet, although it was close to midnight.
Doof-top bar of the hotel at midnight
Visiting Ülemiste City- an innovation hub
But before I could stroll these ancient streets I had meetings with city officials on various issue. We learned about Estonia’s remarkable progress in digitalisation, and its efforts in energy transition. Most interesting was a visit to Ülemiste City, a modern district located on the territory of the old Dvigatel locomotive factory. The place where future happens. It’s the largest Smart City in the Baltics and biggest privately owned business campus in Northern Europe.
Ülemiste City
Ülemiste City
Ülemiste City
Once work was done, the old town could be explored and I certainly was not alone. The small alleys of enchanting medieval Tallinn are filled with tourists from all over the world. Nr 1 country of visitors is Finland though. Visiting is best done on foot, bikes are not handy on this rough, cobble stone streets. Besides there is an upper and lower town, so expect a bit of uphill walking.
The oldest house in Tallinn
Tallinn – historic center
Tallinn historic center
Lucky me, from 5-7 July, were Medieval Days when the towns people dress up in old customes and the heart of Tallinn once again becomes a flourishing Hanseatic city. Fun workshops taught medieval skills, like sword fighting and theater performances.
Medieval Days in Tallinn July 2024
Tallinn – historic center
Tallinn historic center
Having been part of the Hanseatic league made the city rich and this shows in the architecture
Gate leading to to upper town
A must-do is to hikeup to the view point in upper town, this is where the nobility lived, also surrounded by a thick wall. If they felt like it, they closed the only gate to the lower town. From a terrace up there, the old town with the red-tiled roofs, towers and steeples looks a bit like from a fairy-tale. Even the harbour and the Ocean can be seen in the distant.
Former palace in upper town-now residence of Geman Ambassador
View from upper town of Tallinn
Russia-Ukraine Conflict is omnipräsent in Estonia
The Russian Embassy is in the middle of the city. Currently only eight persons work in the Embassy, which is now surrounded by a “Wall of Shame”. Handwritten Poster, photos and all kinds of Flyers are attached to a mobile fence, protesting the war in Ukraine. In Estonia, like in all other Baltic countries, the Ukrainian flag is omnipresent, expressing solidarity.
Russian Embassy – in front the so-called “Wall of Shame”
Ukrainian flag is omnipresent in the Baltic states
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